One storm a tornado

(and the other was the next ‘best’ thing)

July 25, 2013

LISBON - The winds that took the roof off a barn in Carroll County and moved into Columbiana were confirmed as being the result of a low-grade tornado.

County EMA Director Luke Newbold said Wednesday Matthew Cramer, a science and operations officer with the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh confirmed the tornado which had winds of about 75 mph.

In Columbiana County the tornado mostly uprooted trees and ended its path near Lewis Road in Summitville. However, Newbold said it caused less damage than the down burst which came through a heavily populated area of Liverpool Township with 80 to 90 mph winds.

Article Photos

Morning Journal/Patti SchaefferThis farm belonging to Lionel Trebelcock on Apollo Road, less than a mile into Carroll County from the Columbiana County line was hit by what has since been determined to be a tornado, although not a very powerful one.

The tornado began near the intersection if Apollo and Merline Roads and traveled about 3.2 miles with a maximum width of 75 feet.

It has been confirmed as an EF-0 tornado.

Newbold said Wednesday he had worked throughout the day accessing damage with local officials and it appeared flood waters in Franklin Township were subsiding.

As of Wednesday evening Foundry Hill Road, Glasgow Road and Roses Run Road, which had all experienced flooding during the storms, were reopened. Although water remained in some yards, and streams were flowing faster, the water causing problems on roadways was believed to have subsided throughout the area.

Newbold said he also met with Salineville Fire Chief Jeff Lewis and the sewer plant in village, which had been overrun by water flow, was operating well on Wednesday. Although there was no report of water contamination, Newbold confirmed the water plant had been checked by Todd Brown of Buckeye Water District just as a precaution.

Newbold also met with officials in Liverpool Township, where it was determined damage was caused by a down burst, not a tornado. According to Newbold, the storm was followed by cool air, which indicates a down burst. Had the damage been caused by a tornado, the storm would have been followed by warm air.

At this point, Newbold said Mayor Mary Smith of Salineville and officials in Liverpool Township have been provided with the paperwork needed to begin accessing damages. He hopes to have a better idea in the next few days about some of the details of the storm damage throughout the area.

Newbold said he would like to address some concerns at a future EMA meeting with county officials, including the sounding of tornado sirens.

Currently each area is responsible for setting off its own warning system with recommendations made by the National Weather Service through the county sheriff's department. Newbold said he would like to look at options to improve the communication in various communities.

Additionally, he would like to look at getting more grants for tornado sirens in rural areas. Knox Township was recently able to obtain sirens utilizing several funding sources.

During their meeting on Wednesday morning, county commissioners noted they had been kept well informed by Newbold throughout the evening about damage in the county. Commissioner Tim Weigle went with Newbold on Wednesday to survey some of the damage.